What are some examples of deacon work?

Those whom the Lord calls to preach His word are deacons (Acts 12:25)." TARGET="_blank">Acts 12:25). Those who have regular responsibility to preach the gospel or arrange the speakers for assembly gospel meetings are deacons. Those who have primary responsibility to open and teach the believers in assembly Bible Readings are doing deacon work. A man entrusted with the responsibility of superintending an assembly’s Sunday School work serves as a deacon. Sunday School teachers have a spiritual responsibility for imparting divine truth to young people (as do the children’s mother and father), but the structure of the Sunday School is more like an extension of the home than an assembly meeting, so I question if Sunday School teachers are deacons in the spiritual sphere addressed in 1 Timothy 3." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3. A brother or sister may be entrusted with the responsibility of arranging a dinner to take care of believers attending an assembly gathering. In that case, they are deacons in the Christian sphere, as was Phebe, but not in the sphere described in 1 Timothy 3." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 3.

D. Oliver
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I don't feel motivated to keep loving my spouse. What can I do?

When I lack motivation or encouragement, is there any help?

Keep in mind that honoring the Lord as a spouse is not a means of changing your spouse; it is your loving service to the One Who saved you and wants to honor you. The ultimate purpose is His approval now and at the Bema (2 Corinthians 5:9, 10)." TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:9, 10). Yield daily to the gentle Spirit's work. He is able to give the needed grace. The struggle you sense indicates His desire to claim more of you for Christ (James 4:5, 6)." TARGET="_blank">James 4:5, 6).

Look behind you. Your children and other young folks who observe you will be greatly influenced by your example. They have a sixth sense that sees through pretense.

Be thankful that your experiences open windows into the Lord's heart and provide a deepening understanding of the greatest thing God will ever accomplish - presenting a Bride to His Son.

The path to the greatest glory a loving, almighty Father could plan for His Son led through the agonies of Golgotha. Should we complain that our path to eternal glory is not always comfortable?

D. Oliver
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Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Does Mark 16:16" TARGET="_blank">Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

In Acts 10:47," TARGET="_blank">Acts 10:47, Peter commanded people to be baptized who had already received the gift of the Holy Spirit. According to Romans 8:9," TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:9, those who have the Spirit are born of God (John 3:6)," TARGET="_blank">John 3:6), so the new birth is independent of baptism. Being "born of water and of the Spirit" (v. 5) therefore cannot refer to baptism. The Greek construction could be translated, "born of water, even the Spirit." This is consistent with John’s explanation of the Lord’s words in 7:39: rivers of living water symbolize the Spirit.

Further, the New Testament presupposes that obedience characterizes those who are saved (Romans 6:17;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 6:17; 1 Peter 1:14)." TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 1:14). Since in Acts 10" TARGET="_blank">Acts 10 Peter commanded believers in Cornelius’ house to be baptized, we should rightly expect every believer to be baptized. Mark’s gospel emphasizes that actions substantiate truth (1:27; 16:20), therefore those who believe will demonstrate their faith by obedience.

A more cogent response, though, may come from observing that Mark 16:16" TARGET="_blank">Mark 16:16 describes two classes of people: those who believe and are baptized; those who do not believe. A third possible classification, those who believe but are not baptized, is not mentioned. Some of the many passages stating that those who believe (with no mention of baptism) are saved include Acts 16:31;" TARGET="_blank">Acts 16:31; Romans 10:10;" TARGET="_blank">Romans 10:10; John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 20:31." TARGET="_blank">John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 20:31.

D. Oliver
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Do children who die become angels?

Be the first to give an answer to this question. Write an answer in the comment section below. Please provide your name and if you have a website or blog, be sure to include the URL and email address in your answer.

Answers will be reviewed.

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Why does Joseph's genealogy matter to Jesus since he wasn't the real father?

Why does Joseph's genealogy have relevance to the Lord when Joseph was not His natural father?

Matthew begins with, 'The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David." His purpose is to present our Lord Jesus as the Son of David Who will reign as king, sitting on the throne of David. Matthew shows that Joseph had descended from David through Solomon, and therefore had the legal rights to the throne. Matthew lists 15 kings by name, but only David is referred to as king (verse 6). Jechonias is the last king named in the genealogy. Concerning him, Jeremiah 22:30" TARGET="_blank">Jeremiah 22:30 says, "No man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David."

When Joseph obeyed the angel of the Lord and took Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20,24)," TARGET="_blank">Matthew 1:20,24), he also accepted her son as his. Our Lord Jesus thus inherited the legal rights to the throne of David. Since Joseph was not his natural father, He did not inherit the curse of Jechonias. It is wonderful how God worked it out!

W. Gustafson

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Should consideration always make room for the ministry of visiting brothers?

Should consideration always make room for the ministry of visiting brothers?

No. If a man doesn’t occasionally give profitable ministry in his home assembly, his distance from home will not transform him or his ministry. Being a visitor doesn’t give a man the right to minister. On the other hand, Christian courtesy would rarely fail to consider a visitor. The principle in 1 Corinthians 14:32" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:32 seems to indicate this. The Spirit of God would not cause a man to act without considering others.

Visiting another assembly, especially a smaller company, is more than a convenience for breaking bread, however. It is an opportunity to give the believers some spiritual help with warm and uplifting ministry. They are likely tired of hearing themselves and will greatly appreciate the lift.

D. Oliver
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If a sister meets with the elders, should her head be covered?

If a sister meets with the elders, should her head be covered?

When elders meet to receive help from the Word of God regarding their responsibilities (Acts 20:17-35)" TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:17-35) or to make decisions regarding the care and direction of the flock, a sister should not be present. It is a meeting of elders. When the elders meet with a person to shepherd him (in this case, her), to hear how the individual was saved, or to discuss that individual’s coming into the fellowship, a sister who is present is expected to talk with them. If she is not expected to be silent, she should not be expected to wear a covering. These two truths are united in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and 14:34, 35, both being in the section of 1 Corinthians that deals with assembly gatherings.

D. Oliver
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Does giving thanks for the bread and cup differ from other prayers at the Lord's Supper?

Does giving thanks for the bread and cup differ from other prayers at the Lord's Supper?

When believers gather to break bread on the first day of the week, it is an opportunity to call to remembrance the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 11:24, 25)," TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 11:24, 25), His deity, incarnation, holy life and testimony, the efficacy of His death and glorious resurrection, His ascension to heaven, and His present position seated at the right hand of God. The words of the Lord Jesus were, "This do in remembrance of Me," not, "This do in remembrance of My death." In the Lord's Supper, we remember the Lord and proclaim His death. The consequence of this causes worship and thanksgiving. Although the Breaking of Bread is never called a "worship meeting," worship is the normal attitude of the individual believer toward God.

In 1 Corinthians 10:16," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:16, the apostle writes, "The cup of blessing which we bless" and "the bread which we break." This is the act of each individual believer. On behalf of the assembly, a brother gives thanks for the bread and the cup, thanking God that He gave His Son in a human body and His Son's blood was shed to make propitiation for sin. These prayers of thanksgiving have a more specific focus than do the other expressions of worship.

J. Abernathy
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How does our humanity differ from the Lord

How does our humanity differ from the Lord’s?

Ours is fallen humanity (Romans 5:12, 14, 19)," TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:12, 14, 19), while His is holy humanity. Three words carefully and precisely define the Lord’s humanity: form; likeness; fashion (Phil 2:7, 8)." TARGET="_blank">Phil 2:7, 8). He took the form of a servant when He assumed a human body (Hebrews 10:5)," TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 10:5), expressive of a new essence He possessed. In the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3)," TARGET="_blank">Romans 8:3), He resembled our humanity in every observable way. Because He was in fashion as a man, nothing about His conduct or mode of life contradicted His being truly human.

In important ways, though, His humanity differs from ours mentally, morally, and materially. In contrast to His omni- science, our understanding is darkened (Ephesians 4:18)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:18). Unlike His holiness, fallen human- ity prefers sin (Isaiah 53:6;" TARGET="_blank">Isaiah 53:6; Romans 7:18, 23)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 7:18, 23). Different from our bodies, His body was not under the condemnation of death because of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:16-18)." TARGET="_blank">Romans 5:16-18). Paul deals with the material and moral implications of our fallen humanity in Romans 5-8." TARGET="_blank">Romans 5-8. Our physical flesh, linked with Adam is subject to death (7:24) and is presently insepar able from the moral principle within, the flesh, which cannot please God (8:8). The Lord was not subject to death (John 10:18)," TARGET="_blank">John 10:18), nor was His body dying. He grew with age (Luke 2:52)," TARGET="_blank">Luke 2:52), but was not subject to the processes of dying that begin to function in our bodies at conception. Attempting to explain that scientifically is impossible; its cause is supernatural (Luke 1:35)." TARGET="_blank">Luke 1:35). Primarily, the physical substance of our Lord differed from ours because His essential manhood was totally without sin. That moral difference entails His freedom from the condemnation of death that blights all else in creation.

D. Oliver
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Is allowing 5 to 15 minutes For ministry after the Breaking of Bread merely tradition?

Is allowing 5 to 15 minutes For ministry after the Breaking of Bread merely tradition?

No, expecting ministry at the Breaking of Bread is scriptural. In Acts 20:7," TARGET="_blank">Acts 20:7, Paul ministered the Word in conjunction with the Breaking of Bread. The gathering described in 1 Corinthians 14" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14 included both the Breaking of Bread (compare verse 16 with 10:16) and ministry "to edification, and exhortation, and comfort" (vv. 3, 24, 26). Timothy was to give attention to the public reading of Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13)." TARGET="_blank">1 Timothy 4:13). In the Thessalonians’ gatherings (1 Thessalonians 5:19" TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:19 - 21), the Spirit prompted men to speak from God. The believers were to value this, evaluate what was said (see 1 Corinthians 14:29)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 14:29), and treasure what was profitable. We do not have prophets (1 Corinthians 13:9, 10)," TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 13:9, 10), but we do have the Scriptures for our profit (2 Timothy 3:16;" TARGET="_blank">2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Corinthians 12:7)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 12:7). Believers should therefore expect to receive profit from the opening of the Word at every assembly meeting, including the Breaking of Bread.

Prior to partaking of the bread and cup, if the Scriptures are opened, they should contribute to remembering the Lord. An exposition of a passage would be as out of place here as various men reading miscellaneous passages such as psalms exhorting us to praise despite our troubles. Heart response to Christ should characterize this gathering; Spirit-guided ministry will promote this.

When the assembly has remembered the Lord, the fragrance of their worship will set the tone for any ministry to follow. The only weekly ministry some believers hear is at the Breaking of Bread. For that reason, special concern should be given to provide profitable ministry then. If just "5 to 15 minutes for ministry" has become the norm in places, this ought to be changed for the profit of all.

D. Oliver
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